The Humane Society is getting ready for the Rummage Sale. Photo by Greg Hince

June 27, 2012. The Watauga Humane Society is seeking clothes, books, toys, furniture, antiques, appliances, and other donations for its 31st Annual Rummage Sale June 29-30 at the National Guard Armory in Boone.

The Rummage Sale began as a small fundraiser held at a Blowing Rock Women’s Club before moving to the Armory, at 274 Hunting Hills Lane, the largest venue the Society could find. The Rummage Sale is one of the Humane Society’s most successful annual events.

“We see every thing get donated here, a lot of the same things over and over, but also some of the strangest stuff you could imagine, so it’s always fun for us volunteers,” Dee Dundon, former President of the Humane Society said. Dundon has helped organize the event for nearly 25 years.

“All of the money we get from this fundraiser goes to operating expenses, but that’s mostly all for the animals,” she said.

The sale usually raises $15,000-20,000 for The Humane Society and grows in size annually. It is the Society’s second biggest fundraiser after their “Furball” event held in the fall.

Photo by Greg Hince

Donations for the Rummage Sale can be dropped off at Blue Skies Storage, 482 State Farm Road in Boone, Mondays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. To reach the drop-off area, make an immediate right in the parking lot and continue to the back of the building to door 5 where signs will be posted. Donations will also be accepted at Bare Bones Boutique, 153 Don Hayes Road in Boone, next to Rutherwood Baptist Church, Wednesday through Friday, from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

“Anything people can do to help, donating or attending the sale, is desperately needed, because we need the funds,” Dundon said. She stressed that the shelters have more animals to care for than ever before, as they have taken in some from Animal Control.

“We have so many good animals, and we’re running out of space for them,” she said.

The Watauga Humane Society recently re-located to 312 Paws Way in Boone, a transition that allows them flexibility to offer more space and services. Dundon credits the help of volunteers, like the ones that help her sort through donations, for keeping the Humane Society up and running. She encourages all animal lovers who want to help to seek out ways to become involved with projects like the Rummage Sale.

“We want it all, everything people have, but sometimes we get things that we don’t even know what they are, and with the record amount of donations we’re getting in daily, I don’t want to be sorting through all of those things the week of,” Dundon said. “Luckily, we have dedicated people who will do whatever they can to help raise awareness and help our animals.”

For donation or volunteer inquiries, contact Dee Dundon at 828-264-9116. For more information on the Watauga Humane Society, visit wataugahumanesociety.org.